The three biggest historical and current rivalries in the NBA

Celtics vs Lakers

No list of rivalries would be complete with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. The interconference rivalry has taken place 12 times in the NBA finals and involves the two most successful organisations in the game.

From Bird vs. Magic to Kobe vs the 'big three', the Celtics and Lakers are sworn enemies. They may be going through a cold period right now but they are still two of the most well-supported teams in the NBA.

Whenever they match up, the NBA annals are pulled out and dusted off so we can remember all of the great battles they have had throughout the years.

Bird vs Magic

Stemming from the legendary Celtics-Lakers rivalry, these two NBA greats definitely did not like each other at their peaks.

They first went face-to-face in the 1984 NBA Finals as Larry legend and his Celtics team won a mammoth seven-game thriller. The Showtime Lakers got their revenge 12 months later as Magic and Co. wrapped up the title in six.

Boston would win the title the next year, beating the Houston Rockets, before Johnson and the Lakers returned to out-do the Celtics in 1987 in the last Finals battle between the two Hall of Famers.

Warriors vs Cavaliers

This rivalry makes the list purely on relevancy. The two best franchise in the NBA right now have done battle in the previous two finals are really growing a disliking for each other.

The ongoing battle between LeBron James and Draymond Green was one of the major stories of 2016 as the Golden State man was banned for game five of the series.

The best from the east and the best from the west seem to be perfectly matched up for one another and a third consecutive finals matchup can be expected in 2017.

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